Montana Weddings

Heart beat of life...

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:33:00 +0000

in every moment.

There is a heart beat to every moment of life. I approach each and every wedding with this awareness. The moments in our lives have a rhythm and pulse. When I photograph a wedding I am looking for those moments; the heart beat of life in the images.

Kristin and Evan got married last August on Holland Lake and their wedding was a prime example. The wedding was nearly rescheduled because of serious fires in the Seeley Lake area just miles from Holland Lake, but they made the decision to move forward. Their trust and faith that it was meant to be, moved them forward. The resulting event was one I will not soon forget.

Jennie Lynn and I left early Friday morning for the 6 hour drive, in the event that the most direct route was closed, but fortunately the National Guard let us pass through the road block to get to the wedding site. Miraculously, the smoke from the nearby fire cleared out for the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening and the wedding on Saturday before returning to the area the very next day.

See this wedding in the latest addition to my portfolio. See for yourself, check out the images.

I'm so pleased to have met Kristin and Evan, their family and friends. Cheers!

Photos of Kristin and Evan's wedding days.

Wendy and Ken

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Another eHarmony success story.

That's correct! This is the second wedding story that I've come across that has eHarmony in one of the chapters. And, I think eHarmony should grab this couple for their next TV commercial.

We got together this Saturday and ran around the rural west side of Bozeman taking photos for their engagement collection. It was a glorious sunny day, sandwiched between the rain and snow we are still getting here in Montana. Ken is a Montana boy that has his family roots right here in the Bozeman area. As a matter of fact we went downtown to get a picture of the two of them in front of a building that Ken's Granddad built. Sure enough, there's the family Fechter name right on the front.

Ken and Wendy are planning a classic Big Sky wedding and a Montana style reception on the Fechter ranch nearby. It's going to be beautiful event and I'm thrilled that I get to photograph for them! Enjoy the pictures.

It's not too late to book a 2008 summer wedding. I still have a few Saturdays open!

Dee Dee and Scott

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:29:00 +0000

a magical day on the Yellowstone!

Deidrea and Scott are planning a February wedding next year. So, we got together last night to make some images for their engagement... and the dogs came along! Yeah, I like that. We went to one of my favorite spots along the Yellowstone and nature put on a show - it was soooooooooo gorgeous. And of course, we ended up in the cold water!

The water was quite cold.

To me, this is a timeless moment. A photo like this makes my day!

Portraits of Lauren Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:02:00 +0000

and the unused bouquet.

It's not often that I get to make portraits of another photographer.

So, I'm driving into Bozeman during my daily commute, watching this magic wet stuff fall from the sky. I had this bouquet that Lauren made me for another shoot that got postponed, and I'm saying to myself, "I'm not going to let this beautiful thing go to waste". Lauren happened to come to work looking all beautiful so outside we went. The result was a collection of magically quiet and insightful portraits. Enjoy.

A brisk and beautiful day

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:46:00 +0000

at Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Cameron and John brought their family and friends together last Saturday for a brave adventure... an outdoor spring wedding at Chico Hot Springs.

Regardless of the blowing snow we had on Friday, the Montana spring weather held true to form, ie. FICKLE and UNPREDICTABLE. Well, they had a beautiful day as you can see from the outdoor photos at the Field of Dreams.

Enjoy these images that I quickly selected for the blog.
You've got to love the last two images that speak volumes about us boys!
Pick a winner! Wave when you get to the bridge!

Snack Time.

Economic stimulus

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:59:00 +0000

and synchronicity package.

I've been thinking about this for awhile. The current economic situation in our country is affecting more of us than not. Most of us are more conscientious about what we're spending and why. If you're in the midst of planning a wedding, you are certainly looking at the budget carefully. I've decided to offer my own contribution to rebuilding the faith in our economy and hopefully see it thriving and growing once again. I have many key weekends open for weddings during the upcoming summer months. So I'm offering a tremendous savings on my photography packages during the remainder of the year.

If you are interested in the style of my work for your wedding and my calender is open on your wedding day, I will offer my services at a greatly reduced rate, giving you a value that you will find no where else.

I love being busy shooting weddings. Weddings are inspiring to me. I've always noticed that regardless of what else is going on in this world, we as human beings will cease our toils and troubles to celebrate love and the union of two people in love. I've experienced it time and time again, when two people stand up before their family, friends and community and profess their commitment to one another, time stops for a moment. The sky can be falling, but people will stop and celebrate this love. That's a miraculous thing when you think about it, that we as human beings can choose to celebrate love in the face of the arising of all forms of trouble and strife. It's my humble opinion that life on Earth would be much better if we would practice this more often in great ways and small.

Ok, so this is my "Economic Stimulus and synchronicity package" offer for the year of 2008. If one of my free days matches your wedding date, I will offer you a substantial discount on my photography services. Write me, call me and tell me that you've read this. If you've asked for my pricing and availability for a specific date in the past and have still not booked a photographer, please contact me again. Mention the Economic Stimulus package.

Best wishes for a better tomorrow.

The heart beat of life

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:10:00 +0000

Defining moments.

Greetings friends, neighbors and blogographers. I just shot a very special wedding today. The flat out truth is that every wedding I attend is special. Why? Because life is miraculous. If we develop an eye for it, we can find this "heart beat of life" in every single waking moment that we are gifted with. Religious speak? No. Just the facts.

Capturing these defining moments, these "heart beats" is a gift. I shoot often and when I get back to the studio, I'm like a little kid that can't wait to see what Santa Claus has placed under the tree. I look through the images to find the magic. And lo and behold, there it is, regardless of all the myriad conditions and circumstances... if you look long enough, without tiring, you will find these moments.
I don't have pictures for this post, just words, reflections and thoughts, but I do have a link to a guy that I am inspired by. He has a Zen view and a universal soul. His work captures the "heart beat of life". I love it.

So, hat's off to my fellow photographer and WPJA member Joseph Kohn

I can't wait to share images from Cameron and John's wedding sometime this week. Smile, while you look for the magic of each and every moment we have.

University of Puget Sound

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:48:00 +0000

Once a Logger... always a Logger!

...this post is for my daughter Lauren Brooke who is attending the University of Puget Sound with her newest and very close friends. Wilson, Rynne, Casey, James, Lizzy, Peter, Kapiolani (the sweetest room mate), Melissa and many more who's names I can't remember.

Heather and I spent 4 days in Tacoma and Bothell and Seattle enjoying a great time visiting classes, restaurants, cafe's, the mall, the shoreline, the most gracious Calla Allen and Jess in Bothell, wathcing soccer and well... it was a great visit.

Here are some photos to enjoy. Art squeezes out of this wet spring Pacific Northwest environment. The weather was an ever changing bucket of water!

This weekend I am excited to photograph Cameron's wedding at Chico Hot Springs. The weather is still a bit brisk but we're going outside for memorable and scenic photos in Paradise Valley. Keep an eye out next week for a preview.

Sea gulls everywhere.

Lauren go bump-de-bump.

Art in nature.

Art in surroundings.

Joy explodes on a snowy street in Bothell.

Still life mosaic.

Rainbow rain and blue sky.

Heather in her native habitat.

My bonnie Heather.

Alicia and Tyler's

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Engagement album.

Here's something new. Alicia and Tyler came by the studio this afternoon and I presented them with a design for their engagement album. I showed it on the big screen and, wow... I love this idea. The engagement photos I make are fun and romantic; no pressure of the big event with hundreds of people to greet, and formality of traditions to satisfy. This couple is so excited that we're actually planning another shoot. But I won't spoil the surprise, other than saying it's going to be like No Other engagement shoot you've ever seen.

The album showcase you're about to view is going to become a keepsake album and a book that friends and family can sign on their wedding day.

Alicia and Tyler's Engagement Album

Ethanol use promotion by MSU film students

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

and I'm on the other side of the lens.

This has nothing to do with weddings directly, but read on... I think you'll see the value.

Ok... so!... these young guys that hang around at Chisel Industries next door and learn from the pro... that would be - Yarrow Kraner, have put together a big splash of their own and I'm really honored that they included me in their project!

These guys are super creative Film students at MSU. They put together a piece for a competition for a commercial to promote the use of Ethanol fuel and well... save our species from extinction. I'm so personally behind this project for a truck load of reason, the first being our annual national contribution to the diminishing of our clear air supply. I see so many folks driving fuel ravenous gas hogs that spew dirty emissions into our air for no good reason... but to look good. I think it's shameful that we don't all have keys to electric vehicles or at least hybrid vehicles.

Side bar: You like fast cars? Did you know that the fuel efficient hybrid Honda Accord is faster and quicker than the all gas version???? Yep. It's true. Check out it out.

Back to the subject. Royce (Rolls... the ride with glide) put this together with his fine peers pictured here. Check in, sign on, vote for this great piece of work. Student or otherwise, it's fine work, for a good cause and I hope to see it airing on national TV when the boys win this contest. Good work guys! Here's a link and some production stills I grabbed while they were shooting with me.

Royce did this

Obviously Royce want to shoot it right here. He's down with this spot! Great body language!

WPJA announces top 100 wedding photojournalist

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:06:00 +0000

...and I'm 39th!

I just recently was informed that for 2007, the WPJA ranked me 39th amongst their international membership. I am thrilled about receiving this honor. I have always looked at the work of this group of photographers and marvelled at the broad range of talent. I'm honored that they deem my work noteworthy.

If you haven't seen the website, now is a great time because they have the 2007 4th Quarter contest results posted with all the amazing photos.

I just got back from shooting engagement photos for my July 5th couple. Yeah... I was so ready to go out and shoot something creative and fun. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool photographer, taking photos is what I love to do and sometimes business demands take me from my real work. But...Ha Ha... not today!

Alicia and Tyler are in love. No need to say another word! It was a treat shooting and spending time with this vibrant couple. Congratulations you two! I look forward to your wedding day.

Midwest wedding: Family ties.

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:53:00 +0000

Sarah and Matt

Last week I traveled back to my home town of Kansas City, Missouri to photograph a very special wedding for me. It was my lovely niece Sarah's wedding. I didn't know exactly how it would work to shoot a wedding that was so close to me personally. Well.. as usual the photos say more than I can with words.

Sarah and Matt, I loved being there for your wedding. I love the photos I was able to capture through the teary eyes and pure joy of being so intimately involved in your wedding day.

May you be blessed with long years together and may your hearts always be full with love! Your Uncle Larry.

I love babies!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:02:00 +0000

Ellie Rose Ames graces my day!

Greetings from Vegas. Lauren and I are here taking in the WPPI convention. Then it's off to Kansas City for a spring wedding. Before I left, I had the pleasure of photographing with some of our wonderful friends in Livingston. Kyra has worked with me over the years as a fantastic assistant. We like to call her "bubble girl" because her happiness just bubbles over... all the time. Her and Kevin have every reason to be bubbling over, because Ellie Rose has come to join their family.

I walked away from this shoot, smiling from ear to ear and thanking my lucky stars for my friends and the great gift of making photos as a career. Enjoy the photos! Larry

New Bozeman Photography studio_2

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:35:00 +0000

Take a look inside.

Here's a little tour of our new studio. Lauren and I have pulled this place together in such a short time. As you can see, we're quite excited to be here. Yeshe, my black Labrador is happy too! She'll be the first one to greet you if you come to visit. Don't be fooled by her big sounds and size... she's an energetic young dog with lot's to say. We took a few minutes the other day to take these photos of us in the new place. Enjoy!

If you would like to see more, check out Lauren's Blog.

Peach Street Studios opens!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:43:00 +0000

Party pics.

Well we started off things with a BANG! We called it an "ignition party". We all pitched in a threw a big party to celebrate the successful installation of this collection of creative folks here at Peach Street Studios. Here's a collection of Party pics. And, don't miss more cool photos on Lauren Brown's Blog

Here's Jeremia and Luke... the sound sector of the building. They are Jereco Sound Studio.

And this is Yarrow Kraner of Chisel Industries... stealthly slipping past the camera amidst other action.

This is the crew from MNKY. Chris and Zach with two of their friends. Other images of them monkeying around hit the editors floor... or actually they're still on my harddrive for later use!

DJ man... spin'n the tunes.

Kietra, always the hostess Nelson with creative designer Sarah and her man.

JP of Film Lites on the left.

Lauren and I step into our own photo booth for a snap. Thanks to Britney Nelson for taking many fun images and running the photo booth for those that cared to be captured.

These are two of my buddies. Tim Jacobsen and Christopher Allen. Tim runs Moonstone Pictures with his lovely and talented wife Randi. Chris and I go way back... to California and traveled together to China and Tibet in 99.

I am just eating this place up! I love being here. Eating Peach Street cookies!!!

Oooooooh, look who I caught smooch'n.

Our families and friends - acting civilized for the camera.

Family and friends acting normal!

New Bozeman Photography studio.

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:29:00 +0000

Larry Stanley and Lauren Brown under one studio roof!

Ok... so! Here we go. The pictures are up, everything is in and, well, I'm feeling like we're installed and humming right along. Here are some photos of the place with more coming tomorrow. We've got some great co-inhabitants in our building and soon will be starting a blog for the entire creative lot!!!

They are Chisel Industries, Classic Ink, MNKY, Jerico Sound Studios.

This is one of Lauren's cool images.

Wedding photojournalism

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:34:00 +0000

First Place National recognition by the WPJA

I'm honored to say that one of my images was selected as a First Place Winner in the year end WPJA photo contest. Here's my winning image. Check out all the fabulous photos that won awards on the WPJA site.

I'm working on images of our new Studio. It's all done and ready to unveil... check back tonight or tomorrow to see the new digs!

bizzy bizzy!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:25:00 +0000

Peach Street Studios

Yikes! It's been a week and I haven't posted any images. Well, the priority has been getting our studio ready for the opening next week. Case and I installed the new lighting on Saturday. Last week Lauren and I ordered over a dozen, very large canvas wrap prints for our studio walls. The finishing touches will be accomplished this week and then I'll get some photos posted to share. We're thrilled with the way it's all coming together.

On top of all the prep work on the studio, I've had a few other sticks in the fire. I just finished working on a week long project photographing for Enell, a maker of sports bras for active women. I was shooting for their new brochure, new (much needed) website, hang tags... etc. I'll have images to share as soon as the project goes to print. And, tomorrow I'm off to Great Falls to create some new ad images for Benefis Hospital. bizzy bizzy!

In March, Lauren and I are going to the WPPI convention in Vegas, and then I have the joy of going to Kansas City to photograph my niece's wedding. It's going to be so wonderful to capture the wedding of my brother Jerry's daughter's wedding.

Images soon! I promise!

Springtime in the Rockies

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:53:00 +0000

small town joys!

Ok, so... there are some things that we enjoy in our small town of Livingston, Montana. Taking a walk by the Yellowstone river with my daughter and my canine companion, during a spring snow fall. This is where, my eyes roll and for a moment I realize that I live in a heaven realm.

So for the sake of sharing a little love and universal wonder with my friends, here are some photos I gathered on a Sunday morning in my quaint little hometown of Livingston, Montana, on a frozen lagoon in our little park by the river.

Bozeman Wedding Photographers

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:54:00 +0000

Larry and Lauren with our friends

Well here's the latest from our new studio adventure in Bozeman. Photos: compliments of my fine partner and best friend Lauren Brown.

Peach Street Studios is igniting! We've collectively named this building; this hub of creativity - Peach Street Studios. It's all about new friends and a rock'n new studio. I couldn't be happier!

And neither could Yeshe. She now gets to go to work with a building full of happy doggies. There's Wilson the English Boxer, Madison - master of Yarrow, Hutch the male black lab that Yeshe likes to boss around, roommates Clancy and sweet Lucca dog (Lauren and Case's pooches). Yep, it's a dogs world at the Peach Street Studios.

Check out Lauren's blog to see more of the crew.

Lauren made all the dogs look so handsome, even me!

There's more to come about this next week.

I took this one... it's not hard to take a great photo of Lauren!

Life is short, be real and have fun!

Bozeman Photography Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:07:00 +0000

We're moving in!

This week we started the move and we're moving fast. Phones, interenet wiring, desks, chairs... it's all going in. Here's a few grabs of Lauren at a makeshift desk to keep current projects on track.

As you can see Yeshe has already established her territory and figured out who in the building has the doggy treat bag! This place is going to be sweeeeeeeeeeet! More later, Larry

Bozeman Wedding Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 06:17:00 +0000

A new studio in Bozeman, Montana

Ok... so. Here's the big news. The photos are yet to come. I'm so excited and pleased to announce that Lauren Brown Photo and Larry Stanley Photography are now under one roof in Bozeman, Montana. For the last 3 years Lauren and I have been flirting with the idea of one studio offering the best of our photographic talents. As of February 1st, 2008 the union is officially forged. We've tied the knot! No, not marriage silly, we're both happily and independently betrothed. But... together we're opening a studio that offers the absolute best of our combined skills, talent and experience.

The Grand Opening is planned for March 8th. We'll post an official invitation in the next few weeks.

Where? Well, right in the heart of what I'm calling the "Peach Street" art district, the creative hub of Bozeman, Montana, the Northwest and beyond. We are honored and proud to be under the same roof as Chisel Industries and Classic Ink . We're looking forward to many years ahead of collaboration, innovation and creativity.

Much more to come.

Best regards, Larry

Montana Wedding Venues

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:32:00 +0000

The best in the West!

I just did a shoot for the Rainbow Ranch in Big Sky. This is not only one of my favorite places for a Montana wedding, but also my secret hide out in the winter months. This place is so sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

I shot on Friday night and Saturday morning, affording me a great variety of light and temps......brrrrrrrr. Heather and I had a sumptuous meal at the Rainbow's highly acclaimed restaurant. It's the best in the west. I kid you not!

Of course my weekend wouldn't have been complete without my canine buddy Yeshe "the fire dog". She romped and bounded through the thigh deep snow and there was no way to keep her from in front of the camera. And, yes the Rainbow welcomes well behaved dogs with a doggy bed, a biscuit and a bowl.

Enjoy the photos. And if you're interested in this place for a wedding or just a get-a-way, just click the link above. Give them a call and tell them I referred you. Patrick and the fine staff will take care of you!

I have really exciting news to share with you in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

Obviously, I took this in the fall, but you've got to experience it when it's 10 degrees or so!

December wedding in Helena

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:43:00 +0000

A wedding to end a fine year.

"Ok, So..." here it is, December 28th, my last wedding of 2007. True to form this was a spectacular way to finish off the year. Jennie Lynn and I sat in the car before ejecting ourselves out into the 25 degree air to scout out the main street of Helena for a cool... cold place to shoot. I said, "Ok, So... let's go out and find the magic of this day".

Jason had just returned from Iraq and Ashley was on fire to marry the man of her dreams after having waited through months of hoping, wishing and praying that he'd return to her safely. Today was the day, and I'm here to tell you, the Universe smiled brightly on the union of Ashley and Jason.

By the way, your might notice, this is not your magazine style wedding... no comparison. This is the real deal and I am thrilled with the images you're about to see. So, in the words of Timothy Leary, "Tune in and turn on", to Love that is.

Ashley and Jason, we sooooooo enjoyed being a part of your wedding day.

I give you, the Wedding of Ashley and Jason.

Montana wedding in Helena

noreply@blogger.com (Larry) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:54:00 +0000

Century Old Windows

At the end of the day today, I took a little time and started looking through the images of my latest wedding in preparation for designing the album next week. One particular series of images caught my attention and came alive with meaning for me. It was one of those ah ha! moments when I find something special in the images I've captured.

I won't preface this piece too much, so as not to spoil it, but I'll tell you that Jennie Lynn and I were on our way to the church after having taken some preparation photos of Ashley and Jason in their getting ready phase. As we drove by the Civic Center something grabbed me about the place and the light. I turned the car around, looked at my watch, realized we only had 30 minutes before the ceremony, picked up my cell phone and called the bride and groom who were just about to leave for the church. They happily jumped at the idea of making some fun images right before the ceremony. "Yes!" I said as we hopped out of the car and started searching for the magic.

Well it made my day. I should have this album finished next week and I'll post the Showcase here when it's done.

click this link below to share a very special day in the lives of Ashley and Jason.

Century Old Windows

Jason and Ashley, Thanks for who you are and what you do. I loved every minute of your wedding day. Thanks for having us!